In my searching, I have found stories of my clans that rival my own imagination with their pathos and tragedy, stories of fame and honor, of the king’s court and favor, and of a dungeon, a prison ship, and a hangman’s noose. I hope in my lifetime, I can share some of these remarkable stories with the next generation of Scottish Americans who, like the words of John Muir, find themselves feeling very much like the exile searching for his home. John Muir wrote:
"There is no sunlight in the poetry of exile. There is only mist, wind, rain, the cry of the curlew and the slow clouds above damp moorland. That is the real Scotland; that is the Scotland whose memory rings the withers of the far-from-home; and, in some way that is mysterious, that is the Scotland that even a stranger learns to love."

When I visit my ancestral home in Lanarkshire and Ross-shire, and watch the changing colors of the highland mountains as the clouds move across the sky, or walk on the misty wind-swept moors, I find myself longing to know more about my ancestors. I want to stay.

But, for now, I too have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. I hope to share through my writing, some of the most interesting and most intriguing of the stories of my ancestors.  RCE

Sir John de Carmichael received the actual charter of these lands from William, Earl of Douglas (sir James Nephew) towards the end of the 14th Century as a reward for support of Douglas claim to throne of Scotland. In 1441 a barony was confirmed covering 14,000 acres.

Clan Davidson

The chiefs of the Davidsons were settled in early times at Invernahaven, an estate in Badenoch, at the junction of the Truim with the Spey. When they emerge into the annals of history in 1370, the holders of the name appear to have been of considerable number, and in close alliance with the Mackintoshes from whose forebears they claim descent.

The Scottish Nation

The infancy of the Scottish nation was a turbulent time, where survival was dependent on sheer strength and the force of law lay on the edge of a battle worn claymore. With this in mind, it is little wonder that the Davidsons were one of the earliest Clans to join the mighty Clan Chattan, a powerful group of Clans renowned throughout Scotland's history. This confederation of related Clans would amass under a common flag when faced with a foe foolhardy enough to challenge a member of Clan Chattan, crossing swords with the enemy for the sake of the alliance. Clan Davidson trace their ancestry back to the union of Donald Comyn and Slane MacKintosh at the beginning of the 14th Century. It was a bonding of two great Clans, with Donald's grandfather being the great Red Comyn, Robert the Bruce's greatest rival for the Scottish throne, and on his bride's side came the influential Clan MacKintosh, as Slane's father was the sixth MacKintosh chief. The leaders of the MacKintoshes hold the honor of commanding Clan Chattan, and so Slane's family were gladly inducted into the alliance by her kinsfolk. The Clan Davidson takes its name from David, son of Donald and Slane, whose descendants became known as Clan Dhai, or the MacDhais, whose name became anglicised through the course of time to Davidson.

The Davidson's honored position within the Clan Chattan led to envy amongst other members of the confederation, and in particular the MacPhersons questioned the Davidson's influence. This first surfaced in 1370 at the Battle of Invernaven when the Clan Chattan gathered to defend their lands of Badenoch against a Cameron raiding party. The MacPhersons asserted that it was their prerogative to command the Chattan warriors, but the MacKintosh chief was definite in his support for the brave and trusty Davidsons. Thus refuted, the MacPhersons took umbrage and abandoned the field, leaving their compatriots to fight the Cameron invaders alone. Clan Davidson took the brunt of the enemy swords, and the MacPhersons only returned to the battle once they were sure that the Davidsons mettle had been thoroughly tested. The rival Clans seem to have resolved their differences, for they fought on the same side against the Camerons in a 30 a side battle fought before King Robert II in 1396. Thirty champions from the Clan Chattan and Clan Cameron met on the field at North Inch, and fought with such fury that at the close of day only 11 Chattan warriors survived and but a single Cameron remained alive. The seat of the Davidsons was set amid the beauty of Cantray in Invernessshire, a picturesque setting for the history of the Davidsons to unfold. By the 15th Century, Davidsons had moved north from the Highlands and had settled in Cantray and Tulloch, with other Davidsons settling in the north eastern coastal towns of Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen. The Davidsons of Tulloch obtained Tulloch Castle for the Clan through the 18th Century marriage of Alexander Davidson to the Bayne heiress of the castle. This 15th Century keep became the seat of the leading branch of Clan Davidson. The Davidson crest is of a stag's head, and the proud motto reads "Sapienter si sincere" meaning "Wisely if sincerely".

To visit Tulloch Castle, go to:

http://www.tullochcastle.co.uk

or to visit Clan Davidson in the US,

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com

The origins of the pipes in Scotland are uncertain. Some say it was a Roman import. Others believe that the instrument came from Ireland as the result of colonization. Another theory is that they were developed there independently. Historians can only speculate on the origins of the Scottish clans' piob mhor, or great Highland bagpipe, but the Highlanders were the ones to develop the instrument to its fullest extent and make it, both in peace and war, their national instrument.

As a musical instrument of war, the Great Pipes of the Highlands were without equal, according to historians. The shrill and penetrating notes worked well in the roar and din of battle and pipes could be heard at distances up to 10 miles. Because of the importance of the bagpipes to any Highland army, they were classified as an instrument of war by the Loyalist government during the Highland uprising in the 1700s. After the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, kilts and bagpipes were outlawed, the pipes being classified as instruments of war.

Never has an instrument been so loved by a people and yet so feared by their enemies as the Highland bagpipes. The pipes are a symbol of strength, the salve of the soul, and the prize of Clans.

The Scottish Bagpipes are thought to date back to about 100 AD. Their true origin is uncertain, but the Scottish Highland bagpipe is the most familiar throughout the world. They became popular in Scotland during the 15th century. The English crown so feared their stirring effects on the Scottish population after their defeats in the 189th Century that the playing of the bagpipes was forbidden upon pain of imprisonment or death.

When the Black Watch was first formed in 1739, each Company maintained its own individual pipers. Scotland was at that time still Scotland. The Black Watch was formed by the English Hanoverian King, of companies of men from the Highlands to "Watch" the Highlanders Thus the name "Black" - for dark use, and "Watch" - for watching the Highlanders.

It was not until the Napoleonic wars that drummers were introduced and together with the pipers formed what is now known as the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch. Throughout the history of the Black Watch, pipers and later the Pipes and Drums have remained an integral part of the Regiments and as such, have played an important part in its victories and battle honors. Pipers were to be seen leading the Black Watch and other Regiments in action many times since their inception. It is no longer unusual to find an American who plays the pipes and, indeed, several units of the American Army and Navy and Air Force have their own pipe bands, and have had for more than 40 years.

The Black Watch Pipers wear the Royal Stewart tartan, the official tartan of Scotland's Royal Family, an honor bestowed on the Regiment by Queen Victoria in 1889. The Black Watch soldiers and drummers currently wear the Black Watch tartan; an adaptation of the Campbell tartan, brought about because three of their six Generals at the time of its founding were Campbells.

A Scottish Highlander in authentic Highland long kilt. The portion of the kilt hanging down in back is used as a blanket when out in the glens and is pulled over the shoulders to keep out the cold and wet.